Idaho National Laboratory

ANEEL™ Fuel Irradiation Begins in the Advanced Test Reactor at Idaho National Lab

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 1, 2024
Principal, PIE, Idaho National Laboratory, Face, PHWR, INL, Climate, Strategic partnership, ATR, Private sector, ANEEL, Thorium, Nuclear energy, HALEU, DOE, Core, Advanced Test Reactor, Uranium mining

CHICAGO, April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clean Core Thorium Energy (Clean Core) announced today that the accelerated irradiation testing and qualification of their patented ANEEL™ Fuel is set to begin in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The fuel, made of thorium and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), was developed by Clean Core for use in pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU) reactors. Its insertion into one of the US government’s premier material testing facilities represents a key milestone in the company’s multi-year, multimillion-dollar joint effort with the US Department of Energy (DOE) to design, fabricate, and assemble the irradiation experiment.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clean Core Thorium Energy (Clean Core) announced today that the accelerated irradiation testing and qualification of their patented ANEEL™ Fuel is set to begin in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
  • In 2022, Clean Core signed a Strategic Partnership Project Agreement with INL to design and execute an irradiation experiment in ATR to demonstrate and assess the performance of Clean Core’s innovative Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life (ANEEL™) fuel.
  • Upon receipt, INL developed the irradiation test plan, performed pre-irradiation characterization of the fuel pellets, designed and fabricated the experiment hardware and test trains, assembled the test trains, and finally inserted the experiment into the ATR.
  • “Clean Core is focused on the efficient development and deployment of the ANEEL fuel in heavy water reactors, without any modifications to the fuel bundle geometry or the reactor.

Lightbridge Achieves Critical Fabrication Development Milestone by Demonstrating the Extrusion Process for Uranium-Zirconium Samples

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 18, 2024
Uranium, Idaho National Laboratory, Development, Zirconium, INL, Research, Engineering, Extrusion, LTBR, Safety, HALEU, DOE, Economics

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has extruded coupon samples of Lightbridge Fuel™ material consisting of an alloy of depleted uranium and zirconium.

Key Points: 
  • Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has extruded coupon samples of Lightbridge Fuel™ material consisting of an alloy of depleted uranium and zirconium.
  • The extrusion process involves pressing a metallic alloy billet through a die.
  • The data will support fuel performance modeling and regulatory licensing efforts for the commercial deployment of Lightbridge Fuel.
  • “We are pleased to collaborate with Lightbridge in achieving this important milestone in their efforts to qualify Lightbridge fuel,” said Jess Gehin, INL associate laboratory director for Nuclear Science and Technology.

Universities Space Research Association Appoints Robert O'Brien Director, Center for Space Nuclear Research

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 29, 2024
Physics, Idaho National Laboratory, USRA, INL, Research, Royal Astronomical Society, Science, University, Doctor of Philosophy, NASA, Royal, Interim, Primary energy, Renewable energy

Rob's academic background is equally impressive--he holds a PhD in nuclear engineering and physics of radioisotope and nuclear power/propulsion systems for space exploration from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, as well as a master's degree in physics in Space Science and Technology. He holds several patents and patents pending and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Universities Space Research Association today announced the appointment of Dr. Robert O'Brien as Director, Center for Space Nuclear Research.
  • As an internationally recognized Principal Space and Nuclear Scientist/Engineer, Rob has demonstrated exemplary leadership in both research and programmatic management.
  • We are thrilled to welcome Rob back to USRA as the Director of our Center for Space Nuclear Research," said Bernie Seery, Vice President for Science and Technology at USRA.
  • "We anticipate Rob's return to USRA as the Director of our Center for Space Nuclear Research will greatly benefit our research initiatives and enhance our position in the field of space nuclear research."

Idaho National Laboratory Completes Pre-Conceptual Review of NANO Nuclear Energy’s Proprietary Low-Pressure Coolant Microreactor “ODIN”

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024
NANO, United States national laboratories, Void coefficient, INL, Idaho National Laboratory, United, Lead, Skylon (spacecraft), Uranium mining

NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. ("NANO Nuclear"), an emerging microreactor and advanced nuclear technology company, led by a world-class nuclear engineering team developing proprietary, portable, and clean energy solutions, announced that Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has completed a pre-conceptual design review of NANO Nuclear’s “ODIN” low-pressure coolant microreactor design.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. ("NANO Nuclear"), an emerging microreactor and advanced nuclear technology company, led by a world-class nuclear engineering team developing proprietary, portable, and clean energy solutions, announced that Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has completed a pre-conceptual design review of NANO Nuclear’s “ODIN” low-pressure coolant microreactor design.
  • The review was requested by NANO Nuclear to provide an external audit of the technical work completed to date on the “ODIN” microreactor.
  • NANO Nuclear expects that INL will perform a similar review of its proprietary “ZEUS” microreactor in February 2024.
  • “Working alongside Idaho National Laboratory and their team of esteemed professionals has been immensely beneficial to NANO Nuclear,” said James Walker, NANO Nuclear Energy’s CEO and Head of Nuclear Reactor Development.

U.S. DOE Approves the Safety Design Strategy for the Oklo Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Environmental Policy, Professional Services, White House, Federal Government, Public Policy, Other Policy Issues, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Green Technology, Alternative Energy, Government, Environment, Energy, Multimedia, Inc., CSDR, Safety, INL, Uranium, DOE, Idaho National Laboratory, SDS, Uranium mining

Oklo Inc. (“Oklo”), a fast fission clean power technology and nuclear fuel recycling company, has announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has reviewed and approved the Safety Design Strategy (SDS) for the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility at Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

Key Points: 
  • Oklo Inc. (“Oklo”), a fast fission clean power technology and nuclear fuel recycling company, has announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has reviewed and approved the Safety Design Strategy (SDS) for the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility at Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
  • The Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility is being designed to demonstrate the reuse of recovered nuclear material to support Oklo’s planned commercial advanced fission power plant demonstration at INL.
  • “The SDS approval is a major step towards a DOE approval of the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility as we continue towards our goal of producing fuel for our planned Aurora commercial power plant,” said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo.
  • The SDS marks the initial stage in a comprehensive DOE approval process prior to the operation of the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility.

Westinghouse Reaches a Key Milestone with Accident-Tolerant Fuel Technology

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Manufacturing, White House, Federal Government, Other Science, Other Technology, Research, Homeland Security, Science, Technology, Other Energy, Public Policy, Government, Utilities, Alternative Vehicles, Fuels, Alternative Energy, Energy, Other Manufacturing, Public Safety, Nuclear, Chemicals, Plastics, Westinghouse Electric Company, DOE, Nuclear fuel, BWR, Multimedia, Electricity, Idaho National Laboratory, Power plant engineering, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PWR, Safety, INL, Nuclear energy, NRC, Laboratory, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, AGR, VVER, Plant, United States national laboratories, The Electric Company, Uranium mining

Westinghouse Electric Company provided 25 irradiated nuclear fuel rods, including accident-tolerant fuel, to Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for testing and examination, a critical step toward qualification of the new design.

Key Points: 
  • Westinghouse Electric Company provided 25 irradiated nuclear fuel rods, including accident-tolerant fuel, to Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for testing and examination, a critical step toward qualification of the new design.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240125022554/en/
    The shipment of advanced fuel, designed by Westinghouse, arriving at INL following its irradiation in a commercial nuclear power plant.
  • (Photo: Business Wire)
    Designed by Westinghouse, this new fuel technology with enhanced safety features will enable nuclear power plants to extend the generation of electricity from the current 18 months to 24 months, reducing refueling outages while delivering significant cost savings for customers and generating less spent nuclear fuel.
  • Westinghouse is a leading supplier of nuclear fuel, providing a uniquely diversified portfolio in the industry across nuclear reactor types, including PWR, BWR, AGR, and VVER.

Nuclear Expert Blasts NuScale (SMR) Amid Investor Suit Arising from Cancelled Idaho Project – Hagens Berman

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, January 13, 2024
NuScale Power, SAN, Failure, Partnership, Idaho National Laboratory, PacifiCorp, CFPP, Interview, Bulletin, Person, Emphasis, Research, SMR

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now .

Key Points: 
  • SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now .
  • In a recent interview with the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists published on Dec. 18, 2023, Schneider, the lead author of the “World Nuclear Industry Status Report,” was asked to explain the demise of the Idaho project.
  • Schneider reportedly responded, “What happened there is that NuScale had promised in 2008 that it would start generating power by 2015.
  • Schneider’s comments come after the filing of a securities class action suit against NuScale and its executives stemming from the cancelled Idaho project.

SMR 6-DAY DEADLINE ALERT: Hagens Berman, National Trial Attorneys, Encourages NuScale (SMR) Investors with Substantial Losses to Contact Firm’s Attorneys Before Jan. 16th Deadline in Lawsuit Arising From Cancelled Idaho Project

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
NuScale Power, SAN, Failure, Partnership, Idaho National Laboratory, PacifiCorp, CFPP, Interview, Bulletin, Person, Emphasis, Research, SMR

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now .

Key Points: 
  • SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now .
  • Schneider reportedly responded, “What happened there is that NuScale had promised in 2008 that it would start generating power by 2015.
  • They have not even actually a certification license for the model that they’ve been promoting in the Utah municipal conglomerate.” (Emphasis added.)
  • Schneider’s comments come after the filing of a securities class action suit against NuScale and its executives stemming from the cancelled Idaho project.

Investor Lawsuit Alleges NuScale (SMR) Concealed Facts About Now Canceled Partnership with Utah Power Systems - Hagens Berman

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, January 7, 2024
SMR, Failure, Partnership, Interview, Bulletin, NuScale Power, SAN, Research, CFPP, Person, PacifiCorp, Emphasis, Idaho National Laboratory

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now .

Key Points: 
  • SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now .
  • Schneider reportedly responded, “What happened there is that NuScale had promised in 2008 that it would start generating power by 2015.
  • They have not even actually a certification license for the model that they’ve been promoting in the Utah municipal conglomerate.” (Emphasis added.)
  • Schneider’s comments come after the filing of a securities class action suit against NuScale and its executives stemming from the cancelled Idaho project.

SMR 12-DAY DEADLINE ALERT: Hagens Berman, National Trial Attorneys, Encourages NuScale (SMR) Investors with Substantial Losses to Contact Firm’s Attorneys Before Jan. 16th Deadline in Securities Fraud Class Action

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024
SMR, Failure, Partnership, Interview, Bulletin, NuScale Power, SAN, Research, CFPP, Person, PacifiCorp, Emphasis, Idaho National Laboratory

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now .

Key Points: 
  • SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now .
  • Schneider reportedly responded, “What happened there is that NuScale had promised in 2008 that it would start generating power by 2015.
  • They have not even actually a certification license for the model that they’ve been promoting in the Utah municipal conglomerate.” (Emphasis added.)
  • Schneider’s comments come after the filing of a securities class action suit against NuScale and its executives stemming from the cancelled Idaho project.